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CAMPAIGN FOR
SOCIAL SCIENCE NEWSLETTER | |
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This
is the first issue of the newsletter of the Campaign for Social Science.
It
will bring you news about the Campaign progress, including current matters
of interest and suggestions for your involvement. It will appear bi
monthly in future. |
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What's the
Campaign for Social Science all about?
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The
Campaign was set up by the Academy of Social Sciences in January 2011. The
purpose is to raise the public profile of the social sciences, to set out
their relevance to addressing societal issues, to promote the excellence
of UK social science and to stress the value of a social science
education. |
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Read
more about the Campaign objectives in the Times Higher Education Here... |
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Campaign for
Social Science in Scotland
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It
is intended to establish particular identities for the Campaign in the
countries of the UK, starting in Scotland. It is hoped that a model can be
established that can also be applied in Wales and Northern
Ireland. Meetings
to gather opinions and views are being called in Edinburgh in the morning
and Glasgow in the afternoon of Thursday 1st September, to which all
supporters and Academicians based in Scotland are invited.
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UK social
science “best in the world” | |
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Academic
social science in the UK is the best in the world, but the general public
is probably unaware of this standing. When the QS World University
Rankings (2010) are adjusted for population and other size factors, UK
academic social science clearly comes out even better than the USA
(otherwise the leader) on a range of excellence indicators. Psychology in
the UK, according to the International Benchmarking Review of UK
Psychology, is, in some areas, “unsurpassed anywhere in the world”. A
priority for the Campaign is to highlight the quality of UK social science
and demonstrate its impact. |
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What can social
science do for us? | |
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Audrey
Osler gives her view on what to say about the usefulness of social science
to a public audience in her article “10 reasons why you need social
science” Read Here... Professor Audrey Osler is Professor of
Sociology at the University of Leeds (audrey.osler@leeds.ac.uk). |
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What's happening
to academic social science | |
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A
comprehensive survey of social science capacity and capability at UK
academic institutions is being undertaken thanks to the generous support
of the University of Northumbria. Barbara Harrington, a research assistant
there (barbara.harrington@northumbria.ac.uk)
is conducting the survey, which will include both quantitative and
qualitative elements. The findings will form the basis for subsequent
comment by the Campaign. It is intended to repeat the survey at regular
intervals to build a picture over time and identify
trends. The
survey is endorsed by the Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
(DASSH) group, who have contributed to its specification.
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Changing
thinking in government | |
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David
Walker provides an insight into the status of social sciences within
government ‘Society,
socialism sociology…Public money could not be spent to support such
error.’ That was view of the Tory minister Sir Keith Joseph in the early
1980s, as paraphrased by Michael Posner, the then chairman of the Social
Science Research Council – which Joseph tried to axe. He did not succeed,
but convinced most bystanders Conservatism, at least of the kind practised
by the Thatcher government, viewed social research as unnecessary and
possibly dangerous. David
Walker is an Advisor to the Campaign for Social Science David is also a
contributing editor to The Guardian, Director of the Get Stats Campaign
and a member of the Council of the ESRC. The views expressed here are
entirely his own. |
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House of Lords
Science and Technology Committee | |
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The
House of Lords Science and Technology Sub-Committee has recommended the
appointment of an independent Chief Social Scientist – welcome news for
the social sciences. The Academy of Social Sciences submission to the
House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee in April called
for the post of Chief Social Scientist to be
reinstated. The
Campaign will be making further representations on this important
matter. |
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Crime
publication launched by Justice Minister
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The
latest publication in the series ‘Making the case for social science’
(published by the Academy of Social Science) on the topic of crime was
launched on 29 June by Justice Minister Lord McNally. It shows how
research can make a significant contribution to reducing crime, policing
crime and addressing the causes of crime. |
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Media
Watch
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‘Thinking
Allowed’ –
the radio programme presented by Laurie Taylor on BBC Radio 4 is looking
for examples of research. The programme has very clear content guidelines.
They are not interested in research on the impact of social science on
policy or anything overtly political. Instead they are looking for
quirkier research areas that illuminate human behaviour. Recent examples
are items on café culture, women and gambling, high-rise living and ageing
Goths. Please
contact Anne Nicholls, Campaign Press Officer, if you are know of - or are
involved in - research that fits their brief. A.nicholls@acss.org.uk
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The
Arts and Humanities Research Council and BBC Radio 3 have selected
10 early-stage academics to become broadcasting stars in their jointly run
New Generation Thinkers Scheme. The winners are now participating
in the Radio 3 programme Night Waves, in which they discuss topics related
to their research. They will later develop and produce their own broadcast
ideas as well as featuring on other Radio 3 programmes. The winners of the
competition include a Director of Research for Archaeological Services at
Durham University and a Supervisor in the English Department at the
University of Cambridge who is looking at the history of fan mail. Read more... |
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What did the
social sciences ever do for us?
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What
did the social sciences ever do for us? is
the generic title for a series of short video clips to be produced
by the Campaign to popularise social science. Watch out for a call for
help with the script writing, editing and production of this series,
together with presenters. If
you want to be the social science answer to Brian Cox – and many at the
roadshows said that social science needs its celebrities too - then please
watch for the call from the Campaign or let Joanna Kelly at the Campaign
office know now if you would like to take part j.kelly@acss.org.uk
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Regional
roadshows engage the social science community
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Regional
roadshows are helping to engage the social science community and spread
news about the Campaign. Events have already been held in Newcastle,
Liverpool, Sheffield, Warwick, Leicester, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Essex and
London. The next roadshow will be in Bath on 17th November
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Campaign reaches
£50,000 milestone | |
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We
need to raise £300,000 to pursue the Campaign over at least the next 5
years. The good news is that the first £50,000 has already been raised,
thanks to the generosity of publishers, learned societies and individuals.
Any donation, no matter how small, is very much welcome.
If
you identify with the aims of the Campaign and like what you see in the
way it is being developed, please consider a donation(or a further
increased one). Please visit the Campaign website (http://www.campaignforsocialscience.org.uk) and click
on the ‘donate’ button. Various payment options
exist. Or
else email us and we’ll send you a standing order
form. Remember,
just a pound or two a month is not much missed, but soon builds up for the
Campaign |
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Who we
are
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Anne
Nicholls has
joined the Campaign as a press officer (part time) a.nicholls@acss.org.uk. Mobile:
07973 491439 |
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Joanna
Kelly has
joined the Campaign as an administrator (part time) j.kelly@acss.org.uk
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Bill
Solesbury will
join the Campaign on 1st September as part-time consultant on
parliamentary activities. He will advise on opportunities that arise to
contribute to policy and public debates on topics of current concern.
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New
appointments to the Campaign Board are Barbara Doig and Diana
Wilkinson. Barbara is an independent knowledge broker, a former Chair
of the SRA and former chief researcher in the social research department
of the Scottish Government. Diana is a former Chief Researcher for the
Scottish Government. | |
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Contact
details: Campaign for
Social Science The next issue
of the newsletter will be September 2011. Contributors should contact
Joanna Kelly (j.kelly@acss.org.uk) and Anne
Nicholls (a.nicholls@acss.org.uk).
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